Disability has been a topic of heightened philosophical interest in the last 30 years. Disability theory has
enriched a broad range of sub-specializations in philosophy. The call for papers for this issue welcomed
papers addressing questions on normalcy, medical ethics, public health, philosophy of education,
aesthetics, philosophy of sport, philosophy of religion, and theories of knowledge. This issue of Essays
in Philosophy includes nine essays that approach the philosophy of disability in three distinct ways:
The first set of three essays provide a careful analysis of John Rawls, and the application of his
work in ethics and justice to societies in which persons with disabilities, especially cognitive
disabilities, can take active part in the processes of civil society.
The second set of three essays branch out into continental philosophy, and are especially engaged
with issues of community membership, communication, translation, and hermeneutics.
The third set of three essays address disability specifically through the arts and aesthetics; asking
questions on the portrayal of disabled persons in the arts and its implications for normalcy,
sexuality, beauty, and the sublime.